Aston Villa beat rivals Birmingham to boost EPL promotion push

In his third match back from injury, after playing only a few minutes in the previous two, Mile Jedinak played 90 minutes and was integral in Aston Villa's 2-0 win over rivals Birmingham City.

Albert Adomah scored his 13th goal of the season on the hour mark and Conor Hourihane netted a second after 81 minutes as Villa moved one point above Derby in the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Jedinak was the only change for Villa, who were searching for their seventh-straight league win - what would be their best streak in 28 years.

Only the woodwork kept Birmingham in the game when Ireland-qualified striker Scott Hogan worked his way along the edge of the penalty area before firing in a shot which hit the top of the crossbar.

The 57-year-old Villa manager had until Saturday been on compassionate leave following the death of his father last Tuesday, the pain of that experience compounded by fears for his mother, who has herself been battling serious illness.

Canor Hourihane made it 2-0 with 9 minutes left to play as the home side snatched valuable points to keep their second position on the table.

The first half finished goalless but Birmingham came within a whisker of opening the scoring three minutes before the break.